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smoker ideas

08-04-2009, 07:09 AM

hey, i am trying to build a small smoker out of a 55 drum and a medium propane tank. I was wondering if there was any special things I need to watch out for, or add to the desing? any one build one and have things they wish they could have done to it?

Nitto9, make sure what was in the 55 gal drum. Remember, steel has pores in it, just like your skin. If that drum had poison in it, it could make you very sick or very dead... While I was doing instruction at a tech school, I would not let the students use 55 gal drums unless they were brand new.

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appreciate the concerns, the 55 had grain in it and the propane tank was drained then filled with h20 befor being cut in half. i also started a wood fire in both containers and kept it going for about 6 hours to ensure that the heat would not cause a reacaction with anything that may have been put in either. the temp was much higher then it would be at when i will be smoking it. I hope that doing this would elemenate any posible problems??? any one think that, it was not sufficent???

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That fire would be fine for cleaning out the drum and LP tank.
After I cut an LP tank I set a fire in it to burn away all that smell, then I make a burner out of it.
Too bad you cant find a air or LP tank instead of using a 55 Gallon drum. You would be better off in the long run. The life span would increase 10 fold.

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yea, i wish i could get another LP tank just dont want to dish out the dough right now.... Hard times man the next one i make will most likley be a 250 LP tank.... i am going to try to put a couple of coats on the 55 with the high heat paint so that may help extend the life for now.

The one that is green and white is the second one I built. It is somewhat double insulated by using another barrel as a parts donner. It cooks great and holds its heat very well. I will leave it at that, if you have any questions about it, I would be glad to answer. Also in my signature line there is a link to my photo page where there is a rig of slightly larger nature. I think its named new roof on smoker and the other one is new smoker.

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Monte, I live due North of you, right down I-291 about 3 miles south of the Missouri river. I think in the pics I may have pictures in Shawnee, Independence and possible Jefferson county in Kansas.

Nitto, I know that you said money was on the lean side. I thought I would throw this out there, Ferrel gas in KC is selling old tanks fairly cheep. A buddy at work is picking up a 550 gal this week, and I believe he said he is paying 150 bucks. But the gentleman offered him a 200 gal for 75. I would think propane suppliers all over would have some sort of turn over on tanks, its probably just a matter of being at the right place at the right time.